Shrub rose plant names ‘Sprolem’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of shrub rose plant is provided which forms in abundance on a substantially continuous basis attractive semi-double bright yellow cuplike blossoms having a red blotch at the center. The vegetation is strong and the growth habit is bushy. Attractive ornamental glossy dark green foliage is formed. Above average disease resistance to blackspot for the type is exhibited. Additionally, the new variety is particularly well suited for growing as distinctive ornamentation in the landscape.

Botanical/commercial classification: Rosa hybrida/Shrub Rose Plant.

Varietal denomination: cv. Sprolem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new variety of shrub rose plant of the present invention was created by artificial pollination carried out during 2006 at Bakersfield, Calif., U.S.A., wherein two parents were crossed which previously had been studied in the hope that they would contribute the desired characteristics. The female parent (i.e., the seed parent) was an unnamed rose seedling (non-patented in the United States). The male parent (i.e., the pollen parent) of the new variety was supplied by the use of mixed Hulthemia persicas pollen (non-patented in the United States). The parentage of the present invention can be summarized as follows: Unnamed Seedling×Mixed Hulthemia persicas Pollen.

The seeds resulting from the above pollination were sown during 2007 and small plants were obtained which were physically and biologically different from each other. Selective study resulted in the identification of a single plant of the new variety.

It was found that the new variety of shrub rose plant of the present invention possesses the following combination of characteristics:

-   -   (a) abundantly and substantially continuously forms attractive         semi-double bright yellow blossoms having a red blotch at the         center,     -   (b) exhibits a bushy growth habit,     -   (c) forms attractive ornamental dark green glossy foliage, and     -   (e) exhibits above average resistance to blackspot for the type.

A new rose variety is provided having attractive semi-double yellow and red blooms, combined with substantially continuous blooming and above average resistance to blackspot for the type.

The new variety well meets the needs of the horticultural industry. It can be grown to advantage as attractive ornamentation in parks, gardens, public areas, and residential landscapes. The new variety is particularly well suited for growing in the Western U.S.A. landscape. The bright yellow and red blossoms contrast nicely with the dark green foliage.

The characteristics of the new variety have been found to be homogeneous and stable and are strictly transmissible by asexual propagation at Wasco, Calif., U.S.A., such as budding, grafting, and vegetative propagation from one generation to another. Accordingly, the new variety can be asexually reproduced in a true-to-type manner.

The new variety has been named ‘Sprolem’, and will be marketed under the EYECONIC LEMONADE trademark.

The new variety can be readily distinguished from other Hulthemia persicas rose plants. Such Hulthemia rose plants generally bloom only once a year, are susceptible to diseases such as blackspot, and generally display an unattractive growth habit. It is found that the new variety well maintains on the blossoms a red blotch that is a defining mark of Hulthemias, and combines this with a reblooming character, increased resistance to blackspot, and an attractive bushy growth habit. Accordingly, the new variety is demonstrated to display the improved qualities of reblooming, disease resistance, and attractive growth habit, unlike those commonly displayed by other Hulthemia hybrids to date.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph shows, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in a color illustration of this character, typical blossoms and foliage of the new variety. The illustrated plant was approximately two years of age and was illustrated while being grown outdoors during June on its own roots in the field at Wasco, Calif., U.S.A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The chart used in the identification of colors is that of The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S. Colour Chart). The description is based on the observation of two-year-old specimens except as otherwise indicated of the new variety during June while grown outdoors on their own roots at West Grove, Pa., U.S.A.

-   Class: Shrub Rose. -   Plant:     -   -   Height.—Approximately 4½ feet on average at the end of the             growing season.         -   Width.—Approximately 4½ feet on average at the end of the             growing season.         -   Habit.—Bushy. -   Branches:     -   -   Color.—Young stems: near Yellow-Green Group 145A.         -   Number.—Commonly approximately 8 on average for a             three-year-old plant.         -   Length.—Commonly approximately 27 cm on average for a             three-year-old plant.         -   Diameter.—Commonly approximately 1 cm on average for a             three-year-old plant.         -   Thorns.—Size: approximately 5 mm in length, and             approximately 1 to 2 mm in diameter on average. Color:             Yellow-Green Group 145B. -   Leaves:     -   -   Leaflets.—Number: 3, 5, and 7. Finish: glossy. Shape: ovate             with a serrulate margin, rounded base, and acuminate tip.             Size: terminal leaflets commonly are approximately 5 cm in             length and approximately 3.5 cm in width on average, and             lower leaflets commonly are approximately 2.5 cm in length             and approximately 2 cm in width on average. Venation             pattern: net-veined. Texture: on the upper surface smooth,             and on the under surface rough, particularly along the             midrib. Color (young foliage): Upper surface: Green Group             137A with undertones of Greyed-Red Group 181A. Under             surface: Green Group 137A with undertones of Greyed-Red             Group 181A. Leaflet margins: Greyed-Red Group 181A. Color             (adult foliage): Upper surface: Green Group 137A. Under             surface: Green Group 138A. Leaflet margins: Green Group             137A.         -   Rachis.—Length: commonly approximately 2 cm on average.             Diameter: commonly approximately 1 mm on average.         -   Stipules.—Length: commonly approximately 1.5 cm on average.             Width: commonly approximately 2 mm on average. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Number of flowers.—Commonly approximately 3 to 5 blooms per             stem on average in a cluster.         -   Peduncle.—Yellow-Green Group 145A, approximately 4 cm in             length on average, and approximately 3 mm in diameter on             average.         -   Sepals.—Number: five. Size: approximately 2 cm in length on             average, and approximately 1 cm in width on average at the             widest point. Upper surface: near Yellow-Green Group 145C,             somewhat soft, and moderately tomentose. Under surface: near             Yellow-Green Group 144B, smooth in texture, and mildly             hispidulous.         -   Buds.—Shape: ovoid. Length: approximately 2 cm on average.             Diameter: commonly approximately 1.5 cm on average. Color:             near Yellow Group 7B when opening.         -   Flower.—Form: semi-double and cuplike. Diameter:             approximately 6 cm on average. Color: Upper surface: near             Yellow Group 8C with Red Group 45C at the base. Uunder             surface: near Yellow Group 8C with Yellow Group 8C at the             base. Fragrance: slight sweet. Petal number: approximately             10 on average. Petal length: commonly approximately 2.7 cm             on average. Petal width: commonly approximately 3 cm on             average at the widest part. Petal margin: entire. Petal             texture: glabrous on both surfaces. Petal apex: broadly             obcordate. Petal base: broadly cuneate. Petaloids: absent             during observations to date. Petal drop: good, with the             petals commonly dropping cleanly and freely. Stamen number:             approximately 70 to 80 on average. Anthers: Yellow-Orange             Group 22A in coloration. Filaments: the coloration commonly             is Yellow Group 6A on the upper two-thirds and near Red             Group 43A on the lower two-thirds, and commonly             approximately 5 mm in length. Pistils: separate and free,             and commonly approximately 30 to 40 in number on average.             Receptacle: achenes stand on the bottom and wall. -   Development:     -   -   Vegetation.—Strong.         -   Blossoming.—Abundant and substantially continuous.         -   Resistance to diseases.—Above average with respect to             blackspot, mildew, and rust for the type.         -   Propensity to form hips/seeds.—Sparse.

Plants of the new ‘Sprolem’ variety have not been observed under all possible environmental conditions to date. Accordingly, it is possible that the phenotypic expression may vary somewhat with changes in light intensity and duration, cultural practices, and other environmental conditions. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of shrub rose plant characterized by the following combination of characteristics: (a) abundantly and substantially continuously forms attractive semi-double bright yellow blossoms having a red blotch at the center, (b) exhibits a bushy growth habit, (c) forms attractive ornamental dark green glossy foliage, and (e) exhibits above average resistance to blackspot; substantially as herein shown and described. 